“The parasite. I spoke with the Boss and, apparently, all with the same infection died. But he told me, in his own words, I was lucky. Why didn’t it?”
“Ah… so it would have been lethal, then? That’s very interesting. Maybe there’s something to your physiology that kept it at bay? A blood type or maybe even an ancient family curse? I’m kind of just spit-balling here… does it bother you, Dr Flug?”
“If i’m being honest, Carlos, I’m bothered by the fact that I lived through it. What’s that mean in the long run? What’s going to happen next? It’s fascinating but, anxiety inducing.”
“Well… in my experience living through something is a good thing. It certainly puts things in perspective and switches around your priorities. Have you started running analysis on yourself to see what might be different from before? That’s where I’d start…”
“Now that I’m feeling stronger, search I shall.” Flug answered. “No use standing around asking questions when I have the resources for the answers. It will just take some trial and error on my part.”
“As is the nature of doing science,” Carlos replied with a nod. “Lemme know if there’s anything I can assist with. Sometimes two minds are better than one.”
“Thanks Carlos, but given the nature of what I’m researching, I’m going to need to find a subject willing to take on the infection.” he thought about that for a few moments. “I’m going to have to inject someone with my blood, see what it does to them.”
“A whole person?” Carlos asked. He was making a little face at the idea. “Why not start small? Like, insects or mice? Non-sapient, of course – gotta make sure of that where I’m from. What if the reaction poses a danger to yourself, is what I’m saying.”
“The parasite. I spoke with the Boss and, apparently, all with the same infection died. But he told me, in his own words, I was lucky. Why didn’t it?”
“Ah… so it would have been lethal, then? That’s very interesting. Maybe there’s something to your physiology that kept it at bay? A blood type or maybe even an ancient family curse? I’m kind of just spit-balling here… does it bother you, Dr Flug?”
“If i’m being honest, Carlos, I’m bothered by the fact that I lived through it. What’s that mean in the long run? What’s going to happen next? It’s fascinating but, anxiety inducing.”
“Well… in my experience living through something is a good thing. It certainly puts things in perspective and switches around your priorities. Have you started running analysis on yourself to see what might be different from before? That’s where I’d start…”
“Now that I’m feeling stronger, search I shall.” Flug answered. “No use standing around asking questions when I have the resources for the answers. It will just take some trial and error on my part.”
“As is the nature of doing science,” Carlos replied with a nod. “Lemme know if there’s anything I can assist with. Sometimes two minds are better than one.”
“The parasite. I spoke with the Boss and, apparently, all with the same infection died. But he told me, in his own words, I was lucky. Why didn’t it?”
“Ah… so it would have been lethal, then? That’s very interesting. Maybe there’s something to your physiology that kept it at bay? A blood type or maybe even an ancient family curse? I’m kind of just spit-balling here… does it bother you, Dr Flug?”
“If i’m being honest, Carlos, I’m bothered by the fact that I lived through it. What’s that mean in the long run? What’s going to happen next? It’s fascinating but, anxiety inducing.”
“Well… in my experience living through something is a good thing. It certainly puts things in perspective and switches around your priorities. Have you started running analysis on yourself to see what might be different from before? That’s where I’d start…”
“The parasite. I spoke with the Boss and, apparently, all with the same infection died. But he told me, in his own words, I was lucky. Why didn’t it?”
“Ah… so it would have been lethal, then? That’s very interesting. Maybe there’s something to your physiology that kept it at bay? A blood type or maybe even an ancient family curse? I’m kind of just spit-balling here… does it bother you, Dr Flug?”
“Oh hey, Carlos. No I’m okay, I’m just really really exhausted…i don’t know if I’m contagious so don’t come too close.”
“You don’t know if you’re contagious? What do you have? I can get you some water or something if you need it… blankets? Hand Sanitizer?”
“Oh, I’m good. Everyone came in today and gave me everything I need. Thank you though. I have a fever, it’s been rough going today but, I’m starting to feel less gross.”
“Well, that is definitely good to hear. It’s good that you have friends to help you out. You work on feeling better, okay buddy?”
“Thanks, Carlos. I have to admit the pleasant feelings from everyone has been helping.”
“That’s fantastic! Get some rest, Dr Flug. And if you need anything you can let me know… even if you have more than enough people around to help.”
“Oh hey, Carlos. No I’m okay, I’m just really really exhausted…i don’t know if I’m contagious so don’t come too close.”
“You don’t know if you’re contagious? What do you have? I can get you some water or something if you need it… blankets? Hand Sanitizer?”
“Oh, I’m good. Everyone came in today and gave me everything I need. Thank you though. I have a fever, it’s been rough going today but, I’m starting to feel less gross.”
“Well, that is definitely good to hear. It’s good that you have friends to help you out. You work on feeling better, okay buddy?”
“I could, but the boss came in and told me to be rid of it asap. It’s his heart, thus, his call in the end.”
“By the way, who are you?”
“Never! Why?”
“Darn. That’s where I’m living right now. And rumor has it that Elder Gods reside there so… Like I said though, it was probably a stretch. But it seems I’m definitely in a different universe than mine. I’ll assume that until I have proof otherwise.”
“I could, but the boss came in and told me to be rid of it asap. It’s his heart, thus, his call in the end.”
“By the way, who are you?”
“Did you use their kindness against them and conquer their entire society?”
“Uh…. no. They were great masked giants, and one of them had a dog. The Masked Army liked going to war a lot though… and one time when they came back Alicia and Doug bled all over my lab and… well, ruined my months of research and work. I… felt unable to stay after that.” Carlos frowned at the memory. It was… very disappointing. For many reasons.
“The whole ordeal sounds disappointing, but next time you go through the rift maybe you’ll find a place more accommodating to your professional interests. And with less blood.”
“Perhaps. And this time around I ended up here.” He gave the other a polite smile. “By the way… this is your lab. What sort of work are you up to here, if I might ask? Aside from the heart, I mean.”
“Oh I’m a villain. Most would call me a “mad” scientist, but, well I’ve got a clean bill of sanity really. I just look at the bigger picture. I create weapons and help run an organization that specializes in the neutralizing of heroes and do gooders the world over!”
“The boss of course being that of an Elder God has taken over the world more then once, has decided to help evil doers flourish through capitalistic means. We’re the largest conglomerate known to our world! Almost everything has Black Hat Organization’s brand on it!”
“Well, Twinkies aside. Everyone loves those.”
“The Black Hat Organization? I… can’t say I’ve heard of you guys. Huh… this universe may be far more removed from mine than I thought.
“This might be stretching, but since you described your boss as an ‘Elder God’… have you ever heard of a town called Night Vale?”
“I could, but the boss came in and told me to be rid of it asap. It’s his heart, thus, his call in the end.”
“By the way, who are you?”
“Did you use their kindness against them and conquer their entire society?”
“Uh…. no. They were great masked giants, and one of them had a dog. The Masked Army liked going to war a lot though… and one time when they came back Alicia and Doug bled all over my lab and… well, ruined my months of research and work. I… felt unable to stay after that.” Carlos frowned at the memory. It was… very disappointing. For many reasons.
“The whole ordeal sounds disappointing, but next time you go through the rift maybe you’ll find a place more accommodating to your professional interests. And with less blood.”
“Perhaps. And this time around I ended up here.” He gave the other a polite smile. “By the way… this is your lab. What sort of work are you up to here, if I might ask? Aside from the heart, I mean.”
The Perfect Scientist 